I’ve unofficially beaten the game. By that I mean I beat the Bowser Koopa/Bowser Jr. duo at the end. I still have a level or two to get through and several star coins and alternate exits to find. However, I will say that my playtime was 90% positive. I love the feel of the controls, the way the game looks, and the solid level designs that Nintendo put together here.

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I’m viewing this blog partially as a way to practice for my desired future in videogame journalism, and also as a way to talk about subjects that interest me. This particular subject is a nice combination of both. Criticism is welcome, be it constructive. ^^

As Nintendo’s E3 conference went and gone, many of the press and attendees (at the show or at home) wondered when the next Smash Bros. would pop up. As the conference ended, doubts began to surface if the game was even underway yet, and if Iwata was lying to us.

Then came Wednesday night.

The trailer viewed round the world.

A secret conference, a developer meeting with Miyamoto and Sakurai, and no one expected Smash Bros. to show up this year. What a perfect setup for an ambush of massive proportions that shook the gaming world and tickled the collective gamer’s soul. As the trailer began, Melee’s Mario, Link, Kirby and Pikachu appeared. It was the beginning of a glorious moment. Suddenly, the graphics updated. Mario’s overalls got more detailed. Link’s in his Twilight Princess garb. Kirby and Pikachu…well, they look more…shiny. :p

And then the arena changes and in come the new challengers. Meta-Knight (who many were happy to see, but I’m not the hugest Kirby fan…still like the design, though). Pit (Yes, freakin’ Pit! If that didn’t hit the heart of any long-time Nintendo gamer, I don’t know what would). Wario (it’s-a me, WARIO!…and that giant fart attack IS in the game). Zero Suit Samus (which, out of the new bunch, is the least interesting to me…original Samus is also in the game). A preview of some of their moves and a new feature, the Smash Icon (what I’m calling it), which unleash powerful new moves that slaughter opponents. After it ended, we think it’s done.

Wrong.

Codec, anyone?

Yes, Solid Snake is in the game. This changes everything. The fans either love it or hate it. Nevertheless, he (and likely 2-4 more 3rd party characters) is there, and I for one am curious as to how he plays.

So…Smash Bros. Brawl made its debut at E3, and it was simply…smashing. I am excited about the game as much as anything else on the Wii, and there’s so much more to be revealed. What new characters will be joining these 9, and what characters will be departing? What stages will be in the game? How will it control? Will it match up to the past games? All of them look to be answered soon, with Sakurai keeping an English version of his developer’s blog at smashbros.com for us to be able to read. I loved Smash Bros. Melee’s frantic gameplay and Nintendo love, and this looks like it will exceed the bliss I got from Melee.